Compare top-ranked BSN, ADN, and RN programs across Washington by cost, outcomes, and format.
What Washington nursing program delivers the strongest earnings for the debt you take on? With the state’s nurse shortage projected to deepen this decade, new graduates can earn median wages well above the national average, but tuition and debt burdens vary sharply. This year’s analysis of 29 programs, across BSN and ADN pathways, uses federal earnings, graduation, and net price data to separate high-return options from those that leave graduates with debt that outpaces early-career pay. For many aspiring nurses, the school with the lowest net cost and strongest clinical placement network matters far more than prestige.
Our 2026 rankings highlight ten Washington nursing schools that balance affordability, student outcomes, and program quality. The data below draws on federal earnings and institutional metrics to help you compare each program at a glance.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | Students committed to serving Washington communities | |
The University of Washington's Seattle BSN is a CCNE-accredited, campus-based program that prepares students for licensure through rigorous academics and extensive clinical experiences. With an 85% institution-wide graduation rate and median alumni earnings around $78,500, it offers one of the strongest returns on investment in the state. In-state net price hovers near $14,100, making it an accessible pathway to a prestigious degree.
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| #2 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Bothell, WA | $12,000/yr | Working RNs needing a flexible hybrid schedule | |
UW Bothell's RN-to-BSN program is designed for working registered nurses who want to earn their bachelor's degree on a flexible schedule. The hybrid format combines online coursework with in-person classes every other week, and students can finish in as little as one year full-time. The program records a 90% completion rate and benefits from the UW School of Nursing's reputation and clinical network.
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| #3 | Gonzaga University | Spokane, WA | $35,000/yr | Students drawn to Jesuit values and rural care | |
Gonzaga University's BSN, rooted in Jesuit traditions, emphasizes servant leadership and social justice while delivering strong clinical preparation. The campus-based program in Spokane partners with major Inland Northwest hospitals, and its 86% institution-wide graduation rate speaks to a supportive learning environment. Graduates see median earnings of nearly $78,900, among the highest in the region.
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| #4 | Washington State University | Pullman, WA | $15,000/yr | ||
Washington State University delivers its BSN through multiple campuses (Spokane, Tri-Cities, Yakima) with a mission to serve rural and underserved areas. The institution reports a 60% graduation rate, but its in-state net price of about $15,000 and median graduate earnings near $69,000 make it a cost-effective choice for Washington residents. The program takes a holistic admissions approach and awards over $200,000 in scholarships annually.
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| #5 | Seattle University | Seattle, WA | $35,000/yr | ||
Seattle University's BSN leverages its location in Seattle's healthcare hub to provide robust clinical placements at Children's, Swedish, and Harborview. Its 75% institution-wide graduation rate and median earnings of $75,272 reflect strong outcomes, though private-school net price stays around $34,700. The Jesuit curriculum integrates social justice with a focus on holistic, patient-centered care.
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| #6 | Northwest University | Kirkland, WA | $22,000/yr | ||
Northwest University's BSN stands out for its exceptionally high NCLEX pass rate (95%) and integrates spiritual growth with clinical training. The two-year, campus-based program in Kirkland places students in top Seattle-area hospitals and includes cross-cultural study abroad. With a net price near $22,300 and median graduate earnings of $54,914, it offers good value for a private faith-based education.
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| #7 | Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma, WA | ~$20,000/yr (est.) | ||
Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma offers both a Traditional BSN and an Entry-Level MSN for career changers. The BSN provides hands-on clinicals with South Sound partners like MultiCare, while the ELMSN targets Washington's need for nurse leaders and educators. Institution-wide graduation rate is 69%, and the net price for private students drops to about $19,600, making it a budget-friendly private option.
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| #8 | Heritage University | Toppenish, WA | $15,000/yr (net price) | ||
Heritage University's BSN serves rural Central Washington and the Yakama Nation, achieving a remarkable 100% job placement rate within one year. The campus-based program keeps net price low at $14,598, and graduates earn a median of $49,416. Its institution-wide graduation rate is 54%, but its mission-focused curriculum and deep community ties make it a critical pipeline for the region.
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| #9 | Walla Walla University | College Place, WA | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Walla Walla University's BSN boasts a 94.9% NCLEX pass rate and over 94% job placement, with graduates earning a median $61,885. The competency-based, campus program spans two campuses (College Place and Portland), preparing nurses for both Washington and Oregon markets. Net price runs about $23,300, with a focus on holistic wellness and modern simulation training.
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| #10 | Seattle Pacific University | Seattle, WA | ~$24,000/yr (est.) | ||
Seattle Pacific University's BSN combines a Christian worldview with rigorous clinical training in Seattle's top hospitals. The institution-wide graduation rate hovers at 62%, and alumni see median earnings of $64,506. Net price after aid is $24,488, and the program emphasizes community health and ethical leadership, with mentorship from experienced faculty.
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Our ranking of Washington nursing programs draws on five core metrics from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard: net price, graduation rate, median earnings of program completers, median debt of graduates, and number of nursing program completions. The data covers accredited ADN and BSN programs across the state. Each school receives a composite score based on equally weighted standardized values for these factors, emphasizing affordability, timely completion, and labor market outcomes.
We deliberately exclude NCLEX pass rates from the composite score. While crucial for licensure, pass rates are not uniformly reported across institutions and are influenced by exam changes and student demographics. Instead, we discuss NCLEX outcomes separately for each school when available, and you can find a comparison of Washington NCLEX pass rates later in this guide. Our goal is to highlight programs that balance cost, debt, and earnings outcomes, not just test performance.
Published tuition for Washington nursing programs often ranges from $5,000 to $40,000 per year, but net price can be significantly lower. For many students, federal and state aid, institutional grants, and scholarships reduce the actual cost by thousands. Focusing on net price gives a clearer picture of affordability, especially for in-state public programs where the difference between sticker and net can be dramatic. This matters, as high-prestige schools with high sticker prices may end up being comparable in cost to regional public universities after aid is applied.
Nursing program costs in Washington vary significantly by institution, with net price often much lower than published tuition due to grants and scholarships. The figures below show estimated out-of-pocket costs and typical debt loads alongside long-term earnings potential for graduates.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Debt | Median Earnings (10 Yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grays Harbor College | $5,593 | $12,553 | $4,783 | $11,075 | $40,865 |
| Spokane Community College | $5,461 | $6,612 | $5,473 | $13,501 | $41,984 |
| Bellingham Technical College | $4,431 | $5,809 | $5,997 | $17,459 | $49,748 |
| Olympic College | $4,472 | $9,740 | $7,172 | $12,000 | $43,169 |
| Lower Columbia College | $4,626 | $6,003 | $7,630 | $10,506 | $40,691 |
| Columbia Basin College | $6,555 | $8,668 | $8,317 | $14,829 | $46,680 |
| Tacoma Community College | $5,507 | $11,646 | $8,376 | $13,000 | $47,168 |
| Shoreline Community College | $5,115 | $7,905 | $8,585 | $12,021 | $52,009 |
| Seattle Central College | $5,238 | $5,796 | $8,819 | $12,000 | $43,307 |
| Walla Walla Community College | $5,279 | $6,700 | $9,406 | $14,000 | $43,526 |
| Wenatchee Valley College | $4,552 | $5,054 | $9,722 | $10,332 | $41,127 |
| Highline College | $4,772 | $5,332 | $9,879 | $9,500 | $47,869 |
| Pierce College District | $5,418 | $5,976 | $10,222 | $12,000 | $47,532 |
| Bellevue College | $4,436 | $10,502 | $11,430 | $12,375 | $56,310 |
| Clark College | $5,233 | $11,183 | $11,465 | $10,881 | $42,356 |
Sticker tuition at Washington’s public nursing schools can be misleading. Many students pay far less thanks to grants, scholarships, and state aid. Always use each college’s net price calculator to see your estimated out-of-pocket cost: it’s the only way to compare programs accurately and avoid overestimating the cost of your BSN or ADN.
Median graduate debt among Washington BSN programs ranges from $14,615 (UW-Seattle) to $24,454 (Gonzaga), while 10-year median earnings vary from $62,092 (Saint Martin's) to $78,892 (Gonzaga). Public universities like UW-Seattle and UW-Bothell offer the highest return on investment, turning each dollar of debt into over $5 in earnings.
Deciding between an ADN and a BSN in Washington often comes down to how quickly you want to start working versus where you want to work. An ADN takes less time and costs less upfront, but major hospital systems including Providence, MultiCare, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health strongly prefer or require a BSN for new hires, often with a deadline to earn the bachelor's within a few years of employment. That makes ADN-to-BSN bridge programs, which can be completed online in 12 to 24 months, a popular next step for many Washington nurses.
Typical duration Credits required Degree awarded Prerequisites Licensure exam Employer expectations
30 to 36 months 60 to 75 credits Associate degree High school diploma or equivalent NCLEX-RN Some employers require earning a BSN within 3 to 5 years of hire
In 2023, 88.6% of U.S.-educated nursing graduates passed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt, according to the latest annual summary from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Washington-specific aggregate pass rates for 2024 or 2025 are not yet compiled in a single public report, but historical trends show the state's nursing programs consistently perform at or above the national average. Individual program results, filed with the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, offer the most current snapshot.
A program's first-time NCLEX pass rate is one of the most reliable indicators of educational quality. It measures the percentage of graduates who pass the licensing exam on their first try, reflecting how well the curriculum prepares students for entry-level nursing practice. Most state boards and accreditors consider a first-time pass rate above 80% to be the benchmark for a solid program. Rates above 90% signal strong instruction and student support. Consistently low or declining pass rates can point to curriculum gaps, inadequate clinical experiences, or poor alignment with the test blueprint.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, NCSBN reported that baccalaureate (BSN) programs averaged a 92% first-time pass rate nationally, while associate degree (ADN) programs averaged 90.63%. When factoring in all test-taker categories (including repeat and internationally educated candidates), the 2025 overall pass rate was 69.1%, which underscores why first-time, U.S.-educated rates are the more meaningful metric for comparing programs. In Washington, major BSN programs at the University of Washington, Washington State University, Gonzaga, Seattle University, and Pacific Lutheran have historically posted first-time rates well above 90%, often approaching 100% in recent years. ADN programs at community and technical colleges also perform solidly, typically hovering in the high 80s to low 90s.
Rather than relying on broad state averages, prospective students should consult the NCSBN's online NCLEX Pass Rates dashboard, which allows filtering by jurisdiction and individual education program. The Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission also publishes annual reports summarizing pass rates for all approved prelicensure programs in the state. Checking a program's recent three-year trend is more informative than a single year's result, as minor fluctuations are normal even at high-quality schools.
Most nursing programs in Washington are campus-based, but a growing number offer hybrid pathways. In a hybrid program, lectures and theory courses are delivered online, while labs, simulations, and clinical rotations require in-person attendance. Even when a program is labeled “online,” you should expect to complete several hundred hours of supervised clinical practice at approved healthcare facilities. This blend provides the convenience of distance learning without sacrificing the hands-on training essential for licensure.
A fully online nursing degree is nearly impossible because state licensing boards mandate direct patient care hours. Hybrid programs address this by moving didactic content online while keeping clinical components in-person. For example, you might watch lectures and complete assignments on your own schedule, then visit a campus or clinical site weekly or bi-weekly for skills labs and patient rounds. This structure suits working nurses who need flexibility but still desire the rigor of a traditional program.
Among the ranked nursing schools in Washington, five offer hybrid formats , all of them degree-completion tracks designed for current nurses. These programs assume you already hold a license (LPN or RN) and want to earn a BSN without relocating or leaving your job. The hybrid options include: - University of Washington-Bothell: RN-to-BSN program with online coursework and bi-weekly in-person classes. - Wenatchee Valley College: LPN-to-BSN hybrid, combining online modules with campus sessions and clinical practice. - Green River College: LPN-to-BSN hybrid, featuring a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate and a structured two-year plan. - Columbia Basin College: RN-to-BSN hybrid, accommodating working nurses with flexible scheduling. - Lower Columbia College: RN-to-BSN hybrid, with just one evening per week on campus and full-time completion in a year.
When weighing hybrid options, cost and return on investment matter. Using each school’s net price (what families actually pay after aid) and the median earnings of its former students 10 years after entry, the value picture varies:
These earnings figures are school-wide, not program-specific, but they offer a useful benchmark. All four programs allow ADN- or LPN-prepared nurses to complete a BSN while working, often within one to two years, making them a practical choice for career advancement.
To become a registered nurse in Washington, you must complete an approved nursing program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for licensure through the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC). The state requires a fingerprint-based background check and an annual license renewal with continuing education. Advanced practice registered nurses (ARNPs) enjoy full prescriptive authority after meeting additional certification and education requirements.
Registered nurse (RN) salaries in Washington reflect not just experience and specialty, but also the local job market where you work. Statewide figures offer a starting point, but wages can shift considerably from one metro area to the next.
Statewide data shows Washington registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $99,710 in 20241, which works out to about $48 per hour. That places Washington well above the national median of $93,6002. While the statewide median is a useful benchmark, individual earnings vary widely: nationally, the bottom 10 percent of RNs earned around $66,030 and the top 10 percent made over $135,3203. Washington likely follows a similar spread, with higher percentiles in high-cost metro areas.
Where you work within Washington matters. The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program publishes detailed wage estimates for several metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in the state. For example, nurses in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area typically earn salaries above the state median due to higher demand and cost of living, while areas like Spokane-Spokane Valley may report medians closer to the state average. To compare, visit the BLS OEWS page for RNs (SOC code 29-1141) and select the Washington geographic profile. You'll find median wages, percentiles, and employment counts for each listed area.
Beyond the BLS, a few other sources can help you get a more complete picture of nursing pay in Washington:
Keep in mind that a cost-of-living adjustment is essential when comparing salaries across metro areas. A higher paycheck in Seattle may not stretch as far as a slightly lower one in a more affordable region, so factor in housing, taxes, and other expenses when evaluating job offers.
Planning your nursing education in Washington State? These are the questions we hear most often from aspiring nurses, covering program costs, NCLEX pass rates, online options, and licensure rules. Here are quick answers to help you compare schools and choose the right path.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Washington offers many accredited nursing schools that may better match your location, budget, or scheduling needs. The directory below highlights additional associate and bachelor's programs across the state.
